VALDOSTA, Ga. (May 12, 2007) ' Sophomore Jamie
Rausch blasted a two-run fourth inning homer to lead the Rollins
softball team in a 2-0 victory over Arkansas-Monticello in an
elimination game at the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament.
The Tars (41-16) move on to play the winner of Valdosta State and
Florida Gulf Coast at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 12 in another
elimination contest. The Cotton Blossoms' season ends with a record
of 46-20.
Play was hampered by smoky conditions blowing in from nearby
wildfires. The blanket of smoke was at its worst early in the game,
but weather improved as the contest progressed.
Rachel Almengual led the Tars bats, going 2-3 with a run scored.
Ingrid Schumacher, Devon Kontos and Rausch also had hits with
Rausch driving in two on her game-winning home run.
Nicole Anderson scored the victory, allowing no runs and four
hits with eight strikeouts before sitting down in the fifth.
Schumacher then came on and performed masterfully, allowing just
two hits with four strikeouts for her first save of the year. The
duo combined to hand UAM just their fifth shutout of the 2007.
Sarah Reed had a pair of hits to lead the Cotton Blossoms while
Kate Brady suffered the loss, surrendering five hits and two runs
with a pair of strikeouts.
All the game's runs came with one swing of the bat in the fourth
as Almengual led off with a triple before Rausch's blast to left
field to make the score 2-0.
Rollins will play the winner of Valdosta State vs. Florida Gulf
Coast at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Fans can listen live on the Tars
Sports Network at Rollinssports.com
